act out
verb
acted out; acting out; acts out
1
a
: to represent in action
children act out what they read
b
: to translate into action
unwilling to act out their beliefs
2
: to express (something, such as an impulse or a fantasy) directly in overt behavior without modification to comply with social norms
: to behave badly or in a socially unacceptable often self-defeating manner especially as a means of venting painful emotions (such as fear or frustration)
Examples of act out in a Sentence
because his parents spent so much time with his chronically ill sister, the boy resorted to acting out in order to get attention
Recent Examples on the Web
Puppies often chew shoes to soothe their gums when teething, while dogs lacking physical or mental stimulation may act out to get a reaction.
—
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
Fear around the upcoming adjustment, anticipatory anxiety, and positive emotions such as excitement can also trigger them to act out.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 24 June 2025
These questions are unpleasant to contemplate, but they must be asked: Did Trump act out of envy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military prowess?
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 June 2025
Prosecutors countered that Dominguez acted out of anger, fueled by a breakup and uncertainty over his future at UC Davis.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for act out
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Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
Fear around the upcoming adjustment, anticipatory anxiety, and positive emotions such as excitement can also trigger them to act out.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 24 June 2025
These questions are unpleasant to contemplate, but they must be asked: Did Trump act out of envy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military prowess?
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 June 2025
Prosecutors countered that Dominguez acted out of anger, fueled by a breakup and uncertainty over his future at UC Davis.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for act out
Cite this Entry
“Act out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/act%20out. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
act out
transitive verb
: to express (as an impulse or a fantasy) directly in overt behavior without modification to comply with social norms
act out an adolescent fantasy
: to behave badly or in a socially unacceptable often self-defeating manner especially as a means of venting painful emotions (as fear or frustration)
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